SAN DIEGO, July 27, 2026
Calidi Biotherapeutics presented new preclinical data from its CLD-401 program and its in situ T-cell engager (TCE) platform at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Drug Discovery and Development Conference held in Boston, Massachusetts. The company highlighted advances in cytotoxicity, IL-15 superagonist (IL-15 SA) expression, and the development of a new EpCAM-targeting T-cell engager, reinforcing the potential of its proprietary RedTail platform to deliver targeted genetic medicines directly to metastatic tumor sites. Calidi expects its lead candidate, CLD-401, to enter clinical trials in the first quarter of 2027, marking an important milestone in the company’s oncology pipeline.
RedTail Platform Demonstrates Targeted Delivery Capabilities
The data presented at the conference demonstrated the ability of Calidi’s RedTail platform to systemically deliver engineered enveloped oncolytic viruses capable of reaching distal metastatic tumors while avoiding rapid immune clearance. According to the company, the platform enables the delivery of genetic medicines directly into tumor tissue, where the therapy can induce tumor cell destruction (lysis) while simultaneously expressing therapeutic payloads such as IL-15 SA, an immune-stimulating cytokine designed to enhance anti-tumor immune responses. Calidi also reported progress in its in situ T-cell engager platform, including a novel EpCAM-targeting T-cell engager, expanding its strategy to activate immune cells directly within the tumor microenvironment to improve cancer cell elimination.
CLD-401 Targets Multiple Solid Tumor Types
CLD-401, Calidi’s lead investigational candidate, is currently undergoing IND-enabling studies and is being developed for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), head and neck cancer, and additional solid tumors with high unmet medical need. The therapy is built on the company’s proprietary RedTail technology, which combines systemic oncolytic virotherapy with the delivery of targeted genetic medicines to metastatic disease sites. By overcoming one of the major limitations of traditional oncolytic virus therapies—limited delivery beyond the primary tumor—the platform aims to improve therapeutic efficacy across widespread metastatic cancers while supporting localized immune activation.
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Calidi Expands Precision Immuno-Oncology Pipeline
The latest findings strengthen Calidi Biotherapeutics’ strategy to advance next-generation genetic medicines for difficult-to-treat cancers. The combination of systemic viral delivery, immune-enhancing IL-15 SA expression, and tumor-specific T-cell engager technology positions the company to address significant challenges in metastatic cancer treatment. With CLD-401 expected to enter the clinic in early 2027 and continued development of its EpCAM-targeting T-cell engager program, Calidi continues to expand its precision immuno-oncology pipeline, aiming to deliver targeted therapies capable of improving outcomes for patients with advanced solid tumors.
Source: Calidi Biotherapeutics press release
